Lobbying & Public Policy

We represent and advocate for clients before legislative and executive branch decision makers to obtain support for (or defend against) legislative and regulatory proposals. Supported by the firm’s full range of nationally recognized legal services, our attorneys work closely with clients to carefully draft legislation, develop grassroots programs and build coalitions on numerous matters. Both political parties are represented in our lobbying team.

Our Iowa Government Relations and lobbying team of attorneys have considerable prior experience in all three branches of state government, as well as service in county and city government.

Apr01

Red Oak Legislative Briefing

8:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Apr01

Panora Legislative Coffee

8:00 AM to 9:00 AM

Apr01

Eldridge Listening Post

8:00 AM to 9:00 AM

Apr01

Marion Town Hall

9:15 AM to 10:30 AM

Apr01

Grinnell Legislative Coffee

10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Apr01

Council Bluffs Legislative Coffee

11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Apr01

Des Moines Office Hours

12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

Apr03

Des Moines Open Forum

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Apr08

Fairfield Legislative Forum

7:30 AM to 9:00 AM

Apr08

Ames Legislative Wake-Up

8:45 AM to 9:45 AM

Apr14

Ames Legislative Update

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Apr14

Ankeny Legislative Update

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Apr14

Washington Legislative Briefings

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Apr14

Waterloo Legislative Forum

4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Apr15

Creston Legislative Coffee

8:00 AM to 9:00 AM

Apr15

Apr15

Storm Lake Legislative Forum

10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Apr15

Apr21

Burlington Legislative Forum

8:00 AM to 9:00 AM

Apr28

Apr29

2023 Iowa Legislative Session - Week 11 Summary

On Wednesday, the Senate approved a bill to limit the use of mobile devices while driving. Senate File 547 makes the use of mobile devices while driving a car illegal unless used in a hands-free or voice-activated mode. The bill passed the Senate by a 47-3 vote. The bill’s floor manager, Senator Mark Lofgren (R-Muscatine), said the bill will...
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2023 Iowa Legislative Session - Week 10 Summary

A bill proposed by Governor Kim Reynolds that seeks to streamline state government through reorganization was approved by the House on Wednesday and will head to the Governor’s desk for her signature. The bill, which is over 1,500 pages in total, seeks to cut the number of cabinet-level state agencies from 37 to 16 and would eliminate hundreds of...
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2023 Iowa Legislative Session - Week 9 Summary

The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC), comprised of a three-member panel (Kraig Paulsen, David Underwood, and Jennifer Acton), met Friday (3/10/23) as part of its standard schedule of meetings to estimate future state revenues. The REC projects higher revenues for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 as compared to the December 2022 estimates (1.4%...
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Government Relations Update - 03-10-23

The Revenue Estimating Conference (“REC”), comprised of a three-member panel (Kraig Paulsen, David Underwood, and Jennifer Acton), met today (3/10/23) as part of its standard schedule of meetings to estimate future state revenues. A summary of the information discussed during the meeting is below, along with the attached spreadsheet distributed...
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2023 Iowa Legislative Session - Week 8 Summary

This week saw a flurry of activity from lawmakers as they rushed to advance numerous bills in an effort to beat Friday’s first “funnel”. From Monday through Thursday, 237 bills were listed on Committee agendas, 132 subcommittees were held and the last Committee notice went out Friday morning at 12:34 a.m. for the House Judiciary to meet - with 16...
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2023 Iowa Legislative Session - Week 7 Summary

The week continued to ramp up as lawmakers prepare for next week’s funnel. This means that, with a few exceptions, by the end of next week, all bills must be voted out a subcommittee and their corresponding Senate or House committees. With an eye towards the quickly approaching funnel deadline, lawmakers packed this week with subcommittee and...
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2023 Iowa Legislative Session - Week 6 Summary

Only 100 days have passed since the November Midterm Elections, but Republicans are already starting to focus on the 2024 presidential election and making Iowa a priority. Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina Governor and United Nations Ambassador, announced her presidential campaign earlier this week.  Haley is scheduled to be in Iowa next week...
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2023 Iowa Legislative Session - Week 5 Summary

State funding for Iowa’s K-12 public schools was increased by 3 percent on Tuesday when Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 192 into law.  The Senate passed the bill last week with a 34-15 vote, and the House passed the bill on Tuesday morning with a 59-40 vote.  With the new law, the state will see an increase of $222 per student, resulting...
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2023 Iowa Legislative Session - Week 4 Summary

The Legislature continues to move tort reform through the chambers. House Study Bill 114 proposes to limit non-economic damages to $1 million in lawsuits involving commercial vehicles; along provisions addressing employer liability for hiring practices. The bill passed through the subcommittee on Monday, and the Senate’s version, Senate Study Bill...
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2023 Iowa Legislative Session - Week 3 Summary

The pace at the Capitol definitely picked up this week with many bills swiftly passing out of subcommittee and Committee.  The first funnel is on March 3 and we typically see this pace closer to this first important deadline.  This is in part a reflection of Leadership telling Committee Chairs to keep bills moving and so many new members anxious...
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2023 Iowa Legislative Session - Week 2 Summary

The Governor’s priority education savings accounts bill took huge steps forward this week in both the House and Senate.  On Tuesday, the House held a public hearing to allow both supporters and opponents of the bill to advocate on the bill.  More than a hundred individuals signed up to speak for up to two minutes each.  The bill, now House File 68...
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Government Relations Update - 12-15-22

The Revenue Estimating Conference (“REC”) comprised of a three-member panel (Kraig Paulsen, David Underwood, and Jennifer Acton) met Wednesday (12.14.22) as part of their standard schedule of meetings to estimate future state revenues. A summary of the information discussed during the meeting is below, along with the attached spreadsheet...
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Government Relations Update - Iowa General Election Summary - 11-9-22

Iowa Republicans enjoyed a strong election night as they swept the federal races and nearly swept the statewide contests.  U.S. Senator Charles Grassley was re-elected to his eighth term and all four GOP congressional candidates prevailed.  Additionally, Governor Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg handedly defeated Deidre DeJear and Eric Van...
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Government Relations Update - 2022 General Election - 11-02-22

As the 2022 general election is less than one week away, candidates across the state are making their final push for support. At the federal level, U.S. Senator Charles Grassley (R) is running for his eighth term in the U.S. Senate. He is being challenged by retired Navy Admiral Mike Franken (D). A recent Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa poll...
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Government Relations Update - 06-08-22

Primary election results for numerous statewide and legislative races are in.  In federal election news, Mike Franken defeated Abby Finkenauer to become the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.  Franken will challenge current U.S. Senator Charles Grassley who defeated Jim Carlin in the Republican primary. Additionally, Zach Nunn won a three-way...
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Government Relations Update - 05-25-2022

The 2022 Iowa legislature adjourned sine die early this morning capping an extended 136-day session. The final gavel fell at 12:10 AM in the Senate and at 12:16 AM in the House.  The final two days of session included the passage of a handful of remaining policy bills and the entire state budget.  All the budget bills fund various departments of...
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2022 Iowa Legislative Session - Week 19 Summary

After weeks of limited activity, the Senate Appropriations Committee convened Wednesday signaling the end of the 2022 legislative session is near. The Committee passed ten bills, nine of which were budgets. Most of the budget bills passed with agreed-to amendments between the Senate and House.  Negotiations continue on the largest budget, Health...
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2022 Iowa Legislative Session - Week 18 Summary

As no formal activity occurred at the Statehouse this week, we turn our attention towards the fast approaching June 7th primary.  Early in-person and mail-in voting will begin Wednesday, May 18th.  To confirm you are registered to vote, and locate your primary and election polling locations, click HERE for the Iowa Secretary of State’s voting...
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2022 Iowa Legislative Session - Week 17 Summary

Week 17 at the Capitol slowed to a crawl.  The Senate debated on Monday and moved several bills to the Governor and a couple back to the House.  The debated bills included a proposal from the Governor’s Child Care Task Force Recommendations - HF 2127.  This bill would allow child care providers to collect the rate difference between families who...
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2022 Iowa Legislative Session - Week 16 Summary

Week sixteen officially started overtime for the 2022 legislative session.  Out of curiosity you may be wondering if the session has gone into overtime in the past…the answer is, more often than not, YES.  The first legislative session was held by the Iowa Territory Legislative Assembly in 1838.  The Iowa General Assembly began holding legislative...
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SERVICES OFFERED:

Lobbying Services

We represent and advocate for clients before legislative and executive branch decision-makers to obtain support for (or defend against) legislative and regulatory proposals. Supported by BrownWinick’s full range of nationally recognized legal services, we work closely with our clients to carefully draft legislation, develop grassroots programs, and build coalitions on numerous matters. Both political parties are represented in our lobbying team.

Strategy Development

Clients are assisted in developing goals and effective strategies in support of their legislative and regulatory agendas. This includes arranging meetings with key elected officials and policymakers. Assistance is also provided in the development of effective and supportive public relations and media campaigns.

Legislative/Regulatory Drafting

Our team regularly drafts legislation and regulations to address our clients’ needs. BrownWinick assists clients in getting these legislative and regulatory proposals introduced before the appropriate governing body and in shepherding them through the approval process.

Tracking and Evaluation of Legislation

On-site personal attention, as well as the latest computer technology, are both used to monitor legislative trends and developments that likely affect clients and their interests. This work includes legal analysis and reporting on legislation as it moves through the lengthy process of hearings, committee meetings, floor debate, and consideration by the executive branch.

Ethics and Election Laws

Our team regularly works with and counsels clients to ensure compliance with applicable rules, laws, and ethical considerations on lobbying, campaign finance, and corporate political activity.

Political Activities
Practical recommendations are made to clients on the administration and development of political action committees. Such work includes providing proposals for the effective use of campaign contributions. Campaign contribution plans are also developed for clients without political action committees. Finally, we also assist with political campaigns and administer ballot issue campaigns.

Peer Recognition

BrownWinick’s Iowa Government Relations team has been recognized as a leader in the industry. Members of our team have been recognized in the peer evaluation platform, Super Lawyers, which only 5% of attorneys in a state can be recognized in Super Lawyers.

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Lobbying & Public Policy Attorneys